Noticing that the University of Kentucky Press used a different image of a horse on each of its
catalogs, Laurie Avery — marketing director for the Ohio State University Press — had an idea.

What about using works by central Ohio artists for the covers of the OSU Press catalogs?

Beginning in the spring of 2010, when an abstract painting by Amandda Tirey Graham graced the
cover, the biannual catalogs have featured works by seven artists: Rachael Barbash, Adam
Brouillette, Helma Groot, Michael McEwan, Ryan Orewiler, Sarah Weinstock and Graham. None of the
artworks is related to books included in the catalog, Avery said, but all represent the quality of
central Ohio artists — and make good-looking covers.

The OSU Press, founded in 1957, publishes 30 books a year — largely literary studies. The
catalogs, which include biographical and contact information for the featured artist, are sent to
more than 15,000 recipients.

They go “all over North America,” Avery said. “This is exposure for their work the artists
wouldn’t otherwise get.”

Artists aren’t paid to have their work appear on the catalogs, she said, but each one she has
approached has been “thrilled to be included.”

Two cityscapes by painter Orewiler, 37, of the German Village neighborhood were on the cover of
the spring 2012 catalog.

“To be published like this is a great thing,” Orewiler said. “Who knows what may happen down the
road? Someone might pick it up and come find me in a few years. Those catalogs kind of stay
around."

Avery looks to the Ohio Art League to find artists, she said, and likes to select those with a
connection to the university.

For now, the works can be seen only on the catalogs (or through the originals found in the
artists’ studios), but Avery said she likes the idea of putting together a gallery show of the
cover art.